Biography of Rufus B. SearsIowa County, IA Biographies

Rufus B. Sears, who is living retired in North English, still owns a good farm and is interested in agricultural
affairs. He was born in Indiana on the 31st of March, 1849, a son of Curtis and Nancy (Huey) Sears, who were natives
of the states of New York and Ohio respectively. They were married in the latter state and later removed to Indiana,
whence in 1852 they came to Iowa county, Iowa, where the father entered land. The family resided in a log cabin
and they were among the highly esteemed pioneer settlers of what is now Fillmore township. Both parents passed
away upon the homestead. Their twelve children all grew to maturity, but only three are still living, namely: Louisa,
the wife of Abel Hall; Mrs. O. L. Carter; and Rufus B.

The last named remained at home and assisted with the farm work until he became of age. He was then given charge
of the homestead and has since been responsible for its operation. He now owns the place, which comprises two hundred
and forty acres of well improved land on sections 31 and 32, 28 and 29, Fillmore township. Mr. Sears resided upon
his farm until 1906 and year after year performed the tasks that fall to the lot of the farmer cultivating the
soil and raising stock. For the last nine years he has lived retired in North English, his residence being one
of the finest in the town.

In 1866 Mr. Sears was married, his bride being Miss Mary E. Truax, who was born in Indiana of the union of Isaac
and Lily (Dixon) Truax, both likewise natives of the Hoosier state. In 1854 the family removed to Keokuk county,
Iowa, where both the parents passed away. They had seven children, all but two of whom have also answered the final
call. Mr. and Mrs. Sears became the parents of eleven children: Romanzo C.; Delpha M., who gave her hand in marriage
to Henry Haid, of Cody, Wyoming; Francis and Amma, both deceased; Denver C., of this county; Etha, now Mrs. Frank
Ingraham, living in Montana ; G. W., of Keokuk county, this state; Mary, the wife of Fred Wentz, of Cedar Rapids;
Charles, deceased; Elsie, the wife of Samuel Keister, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Blanche, the wife of Clay Fernleaf,
who is now living in Dayton, Washington. Mrs. Sears passed away in April, 1898, and was buried in the Clothier
cemetery.

The republican party numbers among its loyal workers Mr. Sears and he has served his township acceptably as trustee,
while for twenty years he has been on the school board. He belongs to Triumph Lodge, No. 479, A. F. & A. M.,
and has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, belonging to Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., of Cedar
Rapids. He is also identified with the Eastern Star, in which he has held all of the offices, and with North English
Lodge, No. 325, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. While actively engaged in farming he did
his work well and was a factor in securing the progress of his locality along agricultural lines, so that the rest
and freedom from care which he now enjoys is thoroughly deserved.

From:
History of Iowa County, Iowa
And its People
By: James C. Dinwiddie
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915